Coal production more pressing problem than CIL restructuring: Goyal

Says the sector has witnessed inaction over the years on account of environmental constraints

Clearing environmental clearances andenhancing production seems to be key area of focus for the coalministry rather than restructuring of Coal India Ltd at the moment.

"The more pressing problem beforeus is to enhance coal supplies sorting out the environmental issues.Both of which are legacies of years of inaction, inaptitude andpolicy paralysis the sector had faced over many years on account environmental constraints many times unreasonable," the coal andpower minister Piyush Goyal. Said when asked about the government'sstance on restructuring of Coal India.

Goyal was in the city for a meetingwith Coal India officials here on Thursday. Coal India has eightsubsidiaries and the structure continues to be so, he said.

Goyal, avoiding questions on price hikeon coal, said that there will be an improvement of coal quality, "Weare looking at best practices, also looked ways and means forincentive to employees of Coal India to further enhance productionparticularly because in the last 4-5 years coal production has notmatched the demand of the country," the minister said.

On enhancing coal production, he said," I am glad during the today's meeting itself i have discussedwith the environment minister and have already setup a meeting in thenext four days to further sorting out some of the valuablesuggestions raised in the meeting."

Regarding the meeting with CILofficials he said, "I am fairly confident that given theenthusiasm shown by the leadership of CIL and the cooperation I sawin the coal and power ministries in the meeting it will bring furthersynergies between Coal and power and help to serve the common man formore power, timely power and timely supply of fuel all over thecountry," he added